Republican candidate preaches fiscal responsibility

Lager believes in lower taxes and a smaller government.

By Scott Kanowsky

Published Oct. 6, 2008

Sen. Brad Lager of Maryville, the Republican nominee for Missouri state treasurer, believes in one financial viewpoint: fiscal conservatism.

The 34-year-old state senator said this concept represents a responsible way of dealing with Missouri's investments and consistently lowering taxes.

"I know the dollars I will be managing as state treasurer are not mine, but belong to the taxpayers of our state," Lager said in an e-mail. "My priority as treasurer will be to use the taxpayers' investment to help the economy grow and increase our state's prosperity without raising taxes."

Lager's positions are typical for many Republican candidates, but they had him nearly 12 points ahead of Democratic candidate Clint Zweifel in September, according to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch poll.

And unlike Zweifel, who has spent much of his campaign on the political offensive, Lager has remained relatively quiet. 

This actions-speak-louder-than-words approach to public service has been a hallmark of Lager's career.

He entered the political arena in the Maryville City Council in 2001, mainly because he wanted to fix a garbage facility in Maryville that was on the verge of bankruptcy.

Lager is still the youngest councilman in the history of the city.

He accomplished his original objective while there, but the success and his experience in Maryville made him want more. 

The young politician ran for and was elected as state representative from his hometown. 

He continued to make a name for himself in the Missouri House of Representatives, serving on the House Budget Commission, where he earned the reputation from The Associated Press as a fiscal conservative and helped turn a billion dollar deficit into a surplus.

Lager also became a member of the House committees on the Appropriations of Agriculture and Natural Resources and in the Legislative Research Oversight.

In 2006 Lager was elected to the state Senate and is now vice chairman of the Government Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee.

"My experience in the state Senate has allowed me to spend a good amount of time with Missourians and getting to know their concerns and needs," he said.

Lager, as treasurer, wants to encourage the development of energy resources in Missouri and to take property assets to make matching grants for college students. Both of these, he assured, would not require a raise in taxes or increased spending.

Although he tries to remain distant from the verbal mudslinging of the campaign, Lager has not kept himself completely detached.

The senator said he and Zweifel have differences in philosophy of government.

"I believe in lower taxes and smaller government," Lager said. "Clint Zweifel supports higher taxes and bigger government. He thinks parents should have to pay sales tax on the supplies, clothes and books they buy for their children at the beginning of the school year. I do not."

Lager also accused Zweifel of wanting to raise taxes on senior citizens.

Such unwillingness to raise taxes is what makes Lager an excellent candidate, said James Knowles, Young Republicans of Missouri chairman.

"He'll maintain a strong balanced budget," Knowles said. "He'll make tough when we need it. Brad has an understanding of how budget works in Missouri."

Knowles also said Lager's time in the Senate gives him the knowledge to work with a budget.

"Everyone needs to realize if we get someone that cleans up waste, we allocate to certain sections like education and work force development," Knowles said.

Lager and his wife are raising a daughter, Addison.

And even with a campaign and a career, Lager said he hopes to spend more time with them in the future.

As for treasurer, Lager's goal is simple.

"I am now running for treasurer to put my financial qualifications and skills at the service of the taxpayers," he said.